Villa d'Este

Beautiful venue, like in a dream. All servers very accommodating and professional. When in Lake Como, make sure you visit but if you are going to dine here make sure you do not come hungry. Teeny, tiny portions and very expensive-which I planned on because I knew this was going to be a very special experience. Just wished I didn’t leave hungry.

Perfection, and any additional word is unnecessary. The atmosphere of lakeside dinning, dinner or lunch, is amazing. Great food, service and rooms. So picturesque. Take a boat for a dinner across the lake at the Mandarin Oriental and a self-drive boat for a day out on the lake.

When planning a trip to Lake Como, my friend and I were hesitating between the Mandarin Oriental Como and Villa d’Este. Finally, we decided to go for Villa d’Este, as this iconic place had long been on our bucket list. I think the choice was right - this is definitely a place that makes you want to come back. We booked an Executive Garden View room, 50 sqm, which is a good option if you are looking for value for money - a spacious room with a balcony and a nice view (it even had a partial lake view from the balcony). When we arrived, our room wasn’t ready, so the reception offered us an alternative within the same category on the top (4th) floor. However, it had a low ceiling and no balcony, so I wouldn’t suggest choosing the top floor, despite the common belief that higher floors are better. Our room on the 1st floor was just ideal (twin room 111). Even though I heard various feedback on the dining experience at the hotel from friends who dined there, my personal experience was much better than I expected. We had lunch at the poolside restaurant, where the salad with crab and pasta with bottarga were so delicious that I even ordered an extra portion of the pasta! For dinner, we chose the Grill restaurant, and it was a perfect choice. It had a much cosier and more romantic atmosphere compared to the main restaurant. The avocado and crab salad, along with the Wagyu Beef Tagliata, were exceptional - I highly recommend both dishes. Unfortunately, my friend had some issues with her meals. The burger she ordered for lunch and the beef steak for dinner were not cooked to the level she requested, which was critical since she is pregnant. The restaurant had to remake both dishes, but no compensation was offered, even though she had to wait for her main dish to be redone twice while I was already eating. The breakfast experience was pleasant. The table setup was beautiful and upscale, and the views were absolutely stunning. If you’re staying during the high season, it’s best to arrive early for breakfast, as the restaurant becomes overcrowded around 9:00-9:30 am, to the point where it can even start to feel like a canteen. I would also suggest the hotel finds a solution for the wasps, as it did impact our breakfast experience. A bit of humor during breakfast - the waiter referred to an avocado as a mango when serving it. At full occupancy, the hotel felt overcrowded, which had an impact on the overall experience. Its charm and elegance were lost, particularly because some guests did not dress or behave in a way that fit the aesthetic of the place. Group bookings also had a noticeable impact. My friend found her spa massage average. I would like to highlight a few team members who truly stood out - Roberta at the reception, who took care of our check-in and check-out. She was charming, friendly and helpful. Another star was Michele, who took care of our table at the Grill restaurant. Both of them were attentive, caring and showed genuine interes

Left our car at the valet which was expensive and was given back to us with a huge scratch/dent at the back side of the car which now cost a fortune to repair. No one at the hotel bothered to tell us, so we only realised when arriving at our next destination, very very poor. Service was not up to scratch for a 5 star hotel in general but this left a very sour taste. Very disappointing and won’t be recommending this hotel.

We were staying at the Mandarin across the lake , my wife and I came for lunch. It was so amazing we came over the next night for dinner. Greatest service you can find and the food amazing as well. Kudos to Francesco the waiter and Diego as well , they are the absolute Best ! It was great seeing the manager , Mario P both times as well. The greatest birthday lunch for my wife ! Can’t wait to go back !!!

A gorgeous historical property that makes you feel like a movie star. Expansive and grandiose nestled in my favorite stretch of Lake Como. A world class team that caters to every need. Look forward to return and take more time to enjoy their perfect gardens and play tennis. Our meals in the terrace and dinner in their formal restaurant were memorables. An afternoon boat ride in the lake is a must and their perfect little gift shop deserves a stop as well. If you enjoy driving this part of Lake Como is probably my favorite part to drive.